Hi, we bought our first tent a couple of weeks ago and we're just gathering the rest of the 'bits' that we think we might need. We have 18 month old twin girls who are into everything, I just wondered if anyone had any advice or tips to make life a bit easier(apart from don't do it!!)
Hi. Two of THESE and a length of rope. Relax over your holiday. Forget about any sort of routine. And remember that kids can get dirty and won't die from it.
We took our son last year at 16 months for our first camping trip.
The travel cot was fab for putting him in with toys while we sorted things out. Don't forget their favourite things (providing they're not too big) and cuddly toy for bed.
Take lots of layers for sleeping. I did vest/sleepsuit, PJs, fleece, sleep bag, and thin blanket and cot quilt. Also had a sleeping bag folded beneath cot for insulation. He slept better than at home despite the light mornings!!
What about wind breaks to secure a play area outside the tent.
Think I would be looking at having them somewhere when cooking meals on gas cooker. One adult cooking the other taking them for a walk. Same goes for any electric kettle you may use.
I know someone one who bought an electric halogen hob for camping. They are suppose to be cool down quickly.
Familiar toy/ cuddly from home. Box to put toys in. Got a fold down one from home bargains for £2. Holdall for each set of clothes (ikea) easier for changing. Roll clothes up into them. Plenty wipes for hands before eating.
Pop up thing in tent for things left on floor. Can put back in proper place when time.
Quick snack, meals, drinks. The will probably feel hungrier.
Bag for showers/baths. We use a big nylon decathlon one that fits towels, clothes, wash bags in. It goes back into a ball when not in use.
Also, I use a towelling dressing gown, asda, I put these on child after shower/bath and then dress in tent. Much easier than struggling in shower/bath room.
You could use a small paddling pool or tub for a bath.
Night light for bedroom. I have a childs battery lantern.
I also use to get wrist tags from superdrug that you can write your mobile number on incase one strays.
First aid kit, calpol! Get nearest dr and hospital no. from reception and put into your phone.
A DVD player with 2 screens for the car for whilst you put up the tent and an abundance of Peppa pig, Mr Tumble and Ben and Holly DVD's! It's our plan when we go camping with our just-turned-2 year old next month. And like has been said already, somewhere safe for him to play whilst you're cooking. We have already decided to only cook for one meal a day whilst we're away and breakfast will be cereals and lunch sandwiches or salads, so that we only have to keep him away from the cooker at one meal.
We're taking a small plastic box filled with his favourite small and non-noisy toys (you don't want to annoy your neighbours too early by having really noisy toys with you). We'll be taking little cars, books, puzzles and a ball, plus something like a set of skittles for him to occupy himself with. And we'll have the in-car DVD if all else fails.
We have bought a Kampa Junior airbed (it had inflatable sides) for him to sleep in, plus well have vests, sleeps suits, his normal "gro-bag" and a couple of blankets to keep him warm at night (and we'll put something under the air bed too).
Choose your site carefully, a site with a family bathroom, rather than just shower blocks will mean your girls can have a bath.... no slippery children in the shower with you!
Hope that helps a little.
xx
------------- Houlgate, France Jun 16
Court Farm, St stephen Aug 16
And as Many weekends as we can pack in!
Thank you! Didn't think of extra layers to sleep on, that's a good idea and a pop up toy tidy, like that one. Lots of great ideas will have to get pen and paper out and jot them down so as not to forget them! They were up at 5 am this morning surely it can't get any earlier than that, think I might make a flask of coffee before I go to bed when we're camping then I won't disturb the rest of my tribe in desperation for some caffeine!! We also have 3 older boys! The screw in dog stake is a great idea, I have jokingly mentioned that to friends already!
We've just returned from camping with our five year old and our 16 month old and I'll second the extra layers, plus a hat and gloves for overnight! Trunki toyboxes are fab - you can link them together to make a train, they become a rocker, a stool, aswell as a toybox and they are designed to sit in footwells! We took lots of little toys and rotated them round, a packaway highchair - https://www.amazon.co.uk/ON-THE-GO-BOOSTER-SEAT/dp/B0000A11ZQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306848185&sr=1-2 was invaluable for mealtimes (Milly wouldn't sit by herself) and a full set of wet weather gear!
Definately take a big flask and either make coffee ready to pour, or my preference, fill last thing with boiling water and use 3in1 coffee sachets. Saves finding milk and sugar.
Accept they might get grubby and make sure you take wellies or crocs plus wetgear so if it does rain they can play out, and packs of wipes.
------------- Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day
Have just Googled Trunki toy boxes, wow they are fab even without any toys in them!! Think I might have to invest in a couple of those, my four year old would love them as well. We are hoping to go for our maiden voyage this weekend.
Flask of hot water a good idea, we can take sachets of all sorts then, drinking chocolate etc. I could get through a few if my girls have me up at 5am and the rest of the tribe sleep in until 8! It'll be a long 3 hours trying to keep them quiet!! Was wondering, how well does noise travel from tent to tent, can you hear normal talking voices?
Quote: Originally posted by emmaj5 on 29/5/2011
The screw in dog stake is a great idea, I have jokingly mentioned that to friends already!
Yes, we've often joked about this too - if only social services weren't so strict about that sort of thing, it would make life so much easier!
Jane
Joke? I've done it. I used a set of walking reins with one back strap end loose, threaded a spare guyline through the D-ring and pegged it out on the grass to give a run of 6-8 feet or so. DS just toddled up and down the line and it kept him in the shade and out from under my feet. Hubby liked the arrangement too as he could sit and read his paper and "supervise".
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Help! Camping with 18 month old twins!!
